About two weeks ago, while in a retail induced haze I made a mistake. In my haste to blow some cash on some new threads I walked into an American Apparel store. Usually I avoid that place like the plague. While their whole anti-sweat-shop ideals are admirable, something about the whole "we're so hip we're not hip because we are pretending not to be hip (and therefore are hip) image has always turned me off.
Also, I don't like the way their clothes fit. Whereas a medium shirt from most any other store will fit me just fine, a medium shirt from American Apparel hangs off me like a drop cloth. I know this because last year I bought a shirt from there last year, took it home and found that this particular long sleeved t-shirt hung almost to my knees. I looked like a girl wearing her boyfriend's t-shirt. Needless to say, I returned it.
But in my quest to purchase something other than a pair of CD's (J Dilla's "The Shining Instrumentals" and Talib Kweli's "Eardrum", both are excellent btw) after having been shut out at a half dozen other stores, I thought I would give them another shot. I found a white polo with green stitching that I thought was dope and bought it. Knowing my past experience I should have tried it on first, but since I was in a rush I did not.
Which was a mistake...after I got home I was getting ready to go out and thought I would rock my new polo. A look of frustration stared at back from the mirror. It looked like shit. Damnit! Oh well, I'll just go return it right? Right!
Today I was running errands and happened to be in Evanston where they have an American Apparel location. I walked in and stood in line for a few minutes while the clerks were chatting with a friend. Finally, they noticed me.
Hipster Chick: "Can I help you?"
Me: "...yeah, I want to return this shirt"
Hipster Chick: "OK, do you want to exchange it or receive a store credit?"
Me: "No, I want to return it...as in I want my money back"
Hipster Chick: "Oh, sorry, but we don't do that here"
Me: "...what do you mean you..."
Hipster Chick: "our policy is to offer store credit or exchanges only"
Me: "......."
Hipster Chick: "do you want to look around"
Me: "no, I don't, I'll take the store credit"
Hipster Chick: (punching keys, fumbling with receipts) "there you go, have a great day"
Me: "yeah, thanks, you do the same"
What. The. Fuck. What store doesn't let you return clothing? It's not like I had worn it or shed blood on it. It was in the same condition as I purchased it. But apparently since there clothes are SO AWESOME and no one in their right mind would ever want to return any of them, they have decided to make the choice for the consumer. Fucking weak! I mean, you can produce. You can return a car. You can return puppies. But a poorly fitting shirt? No sir!
So now I have $35 to spend at a store whose clothes I dislike. Since I don't have a choice, and because it's getting cold here (seriously people, WTF? It was in the 30's last night) I suppose I'll order a hoodie online. The only question I have now is how awful this thing will fit.
9/20/2007 UPDATE
I just went on the American Apparel website to try and find something to use my credit for. Out of curiosity I looked up their return/exchange policy and this is what I found:
"If you're unsatisfied with the fit, quality, color, or size of an item you may return it and choose an item in another size or color. We will gladly replace or refund any item that you're not completely happy with."
WTF?
I just called them and they will only refund your money for on-line purchases. Huh? What is the difference? Argh!
Also, I don't like the way their clothes fit. Whereas a medium shirt from most any other store will fit me just fine, a medium shirt from American Apparel hangs off me like a drop cloth. I know this because last year I bought a shirt from there last year, took it home and found that this particular long sleeved t-shirt hung almost to my knees. I looked like a girl wearing her boyfriend's t-shirt. Needless to say, I returned it.
But in my quest to purchase something other than a pair of CD's (J Dilla's "The Shining Instrumentals" and Talib Kweli's "Eardrum", both are excellent btw) after having been shut out at a half dozen other stores, I thought I would give them another shot. I found a white polo with green stitching that I thought was dope and bought it. Knowing my past experience I should have tried it on first, but since I was in a rush I did not.
Which was a mistake...after I got home I was getting ready to go out and thought I would rock my new polo. A look of frustration stared at back from the mirror. It looked like shit. Damnit! Oh well, I'll just go return it right? Right!
Today I was running errands and happened to be in Evanston where they have an American Apparel location. I walked in and stood in line for a few minutes while the clerks were chatting with a friend. Finally, they noticed me.
Hipster Chick: "Can I help you?"
Me: "...yeah, I want to return this shirt"
Hipster Chick: "OK, do you want to exchange it or receive a store credit?"
Me: "No, I want to return it...as in I want my money back"
Hipster Chick: "Oh, sorry, but we don't do that here"
Me: "...what do you mean you..."
Hipster Chick: "our policy is to offer store credit or exchanges only"
Me: "......."
Hipster Chick: "do you want to look around"
Me: "no, I don't, I'll take the store credit"
Hipster Chick: (punching keys, fumbling with receipts) "there you go, have a great day"
Me: "yeah, thanks, you do the same"
What. The. Fuck. What store doesn't let you return clothing? It's not like I had worn it or shed blood on it. It was in the same condition as I purchased it. But apparently since there clothes are SO AWESOME and no one in their right mind would ever want to return any of them, they have decided to make the choice for the consumer. Fucking weak! I mean, you can produce. You can return a car. You can return puppies. But a poorly fitting shirt? No sir!
So now I have $35 to spend at a store whose clothes I dislike. Since I don't have a choice, and because it's getting cold here (seriously people, WTF? It was in the 30's last night) I suppose I'll order a hoodie online. The only question I have now is how awful this thing will fit.
9/20/2007 UPDATE
I just went on the American Apparel website to try and find something to use my credit for. Out of curiosity I looked up their return/exchange policy and this is what I found:
"If you're unsatisfied with the fit, quality, color, or size of an item you may return it and choose an item in another size or color. We will gladly replace or refund any item that you're not completely happy with."
WTF?
I just called them and they will only refund your money for on-line purchases. Huh? What is the difference? Argh!
13 comments:
Not to be rude, but you could have:
1. tried the shirt on prior to purchasing (especially since you say they run big in the past)
2. Inquired about the return policy.
Most stores clearly display their return policy and you can't blame the store because you did not do your part in inquiring about the rules.
Personally, I am glad stores don't take returns nand then restock them. You may not have worn it, but there are skank folks out there who do buy then wear and return.
Perhaps this will prove to be a learning experience for you. As the consumer you have the responsibility to make an informed purchase.
I've never been into an American Apparel store...and it looks like I haven't been missing much at all.
I never liked their clothes and tend to stay away from their stores. Their return policy is just bad.
I always tend to try on stuff when I'm in an unfamiliar store but not for my regulars.
Hey, I fully realize it was a mistake on my part and I should have tried it on. And I suppose I could have asked them about their return policy but that place is not a little boutique, it's a large national chain. Imagine if the Gap didn't take returns, would that not seem odd?
yeah , I agree, who would ever think to ask about not taking a return.
I've decided to remove their link from my blog! good luck with the hoodie. later.
I've got a few things from AA and I like them. But definitely agree that trying them on to be sure they fit is key.
PS - I've got a hoodie from them and I love it.
You can always use it to buy someone something from there - I'm sure you know at least one mug who appreciates their stuff...
You can always buy me a gift with the credit you know? I never refuse gifts.
I sort of like that their clothes run big, that way I can purchase a small with a big smile (there's a certain pride in being able to fit into a small when you used to wear an XXL).
I hear ya on the hip chat tho, WTF?!
I miss Chicago.
So sorry to hear about your issues with them. Trying on clothes are definitely key.
I'm a small guy but Smalls in most places end up hanging on me the same way.
I really think they're adjusting the sizes to the country's ever increasing waistline.
As for the return policy, that is definitely odd not to take returns especially since that seems to be and "American" way now for customer service.
Keeping the money in their stores can definitely be considered an American way too.
There's one by our mall in strip mall, have never even considered walking in there. Even better reason now. *HUGS*
Contact the Better Business Bureau about their deceptive and misleading return policy.
http://www.bbb.org/complaint.asp
I hate them too. I don't know why, but to me their clothes always look like they're from 1981...in Eastern Europe.
Apparently their return policy carries through with the Eastern European theme too.
Just experienced this in Miami. I was so shocked by the policy i had to google it and came across your entry. The Manager's response to my disappointment was even worse -- no empathy, no one even offered to help me find something else I might like. I bought my items as a gift for someone else. And he didn't like them. So my choice was only to give him a gift card (tacky) or spend $50 on 2 simple white t-shirts I could at least wear under something else? Nothing else "spoke" to my current taste. I have bought a fair amount of stuff from them in the past. 2 years ago I bought the summer v-neck in nearly every color they made and have worn those shirts out. I can't bring myself to shop at a clothing store that won't let you return something. There are too many other good stores to buy T-shirts from and we have the power as consumers to make choices. I'm sorry AA is in such financial dire straits. But it seems to me some of their policies (and hiring, frankly) have alienated even some of their biggest fans. Myself now included.
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